About this project

Marian Call European Adventure Quest!!!

$63,301

945

Hello! It's me, Marian! I want to go on a European Adventure Quest in order to make some art! You don't scare me, Ocean.

UPDATE: I AM going on a European Adventure Quest in order to make some art! Now we are deciding where I will play and hitting stretch goals! THANK YOU! Read on if you're new to the project!

STRETCH GOAL: Marian Call Sings the Classics

You have asked me for cover songs for a million years. But cover songs cost licensing fees, so I mostly don't do them. Well -- now I will! Upon returning from Europe I will record and release the following oft-requested cover songs if we sprint to some stretch goals:

$59k: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Monty Python's Life of Brian

$60k: "All I Want" by Joni Mitchell

If you have pledged at the $35 level or above these new songs will be added as an automatic supplement to your "complete works" collection when they are released. If you are in the Donors' Circle, you will get to hear scratch tracks and works in progress, as well as some additional cuts or experiments. If we pass $50k, I will add more songs to the list!

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Dear Reader: I am a traveling singer-songwriter living in Alaska. My music is sweet and lyrical and spicy, sort of cinnamon vanilla cayenne something; I'm acoustic but extra funky, layered and nerdy and complicated yet accessible. My artistic godparents are Joni Mitchell, Jonathan Coulton, Regina Spektor, and Ogden Nash. Like this: http://mariancall.com. Or like this: http://youtube.com/mariancall. I tour North America all the time with awesome guitarists like Scott Barkan, and it's time to adventure farther than I have before.

I plan to record for you a LIVE ALBUM this year. YESSS!

I wish to record it in Europe and the UK. YESSSSSSSSS!

The plan is to travel in autumn, October-November, with the utterly staggeringly amazing guitarist (and songwriter in his own right) Scott Barkan. We'll record the live album at concerts across the ocean, and make a video too. We'll mix, master, and launch the live album immediately upon my return to Alaska. To that end we're doing a Kickstarter! And a lot of other stuff too.

So this Kickstarter is how you guys pre-order your live album, MARIAN CALL LIVE IN EUROPE, no matter where you are in the world. If you just want the album, that's $15. Snag it in advance and it'll show up on your doorstep this fall!

You can get other good things too, like downloads of all my available music at a steep discount ($35), my Quest Log of the Europe trip ($42), voicemail messages in your inbox, ($75), and all my music EVER including unavailable stuff like the Bootleg album ($125). So! Music for you in advance! Or for you to share, if you have it already! Images and details about the stuff can be found at MarianCallAdventureQuest.com.

If that's all you need to know, sign on!!! The rest is just frosting! The rewards are awesome!

You'll receive a private link to a survey if you pledge or enlist. "Spend" your Questing Coins on the country and city of your choice by filling out that optional survey. That's a vote for your town!

Any nation that acquires enough Questing Coins or funds will be added to my itinerary. You will decide, by voting with Questing Coins, which countries and cities go on the itinerary! To get a show near you, get your friends and neighbors to pledge (with money) or enlist (for free)!

Now that the trip is funded, you can simply "Buy a Concert" -- meaning you can just make a show happen in your town for enough money. You are welcome to do it yourself, or go in on a concert as a group or organization. Write europe@mariancall.com to make that happen!

The stats on every nation -- which ones are close to funding, which ones are just starting out -- will be at http://mariancalladventurequest.com. Nations will light up as surveys come in and they gain support! It's awesome! At least I think it is.

There are real Gameplay rules, and if you're a nerd like me who's interested in that, read the Rulebook. Here are links to everything:

^^^ this last one is important. Get on the e-mail list. You are likely to miss a show in your area if you rely on Twitter and Facebook and G+ alone. The e-mail list is the key to everything, no matter where in the world you live!!

Below the break, there's some background info and a more detailed bio for you; more info about the game and FAQ's are at the links above. Again, you don't have to do all the complicated Questing Coin stuff unless you want to bring me to a specific city in Europe; most of you can just pledge and be done with it! Only get as involved as your enjoyment allows.

{{I love you, Nerd Who Reads Everything And Asks More Questions, because I have thought this through carefully and I hope someone out there reads all the stuff I've thought out. But I'm sure I haven't thought of everything. So read it all if you want to know more, and ask questions afterwards by writing europe@mariancall.com. Note the order of operations: read FAQ's first, ask questions second.}}

In 2010, with the help of thousands of amazing people like you, Dear Reader, I toured all 50 United States and most of Canada -- mostly on moxie and the power of Twitter. I'm a floor-sleeper and a tough traveler; I play 5-6 nights per week together with some incredible guitarists who put up with a lot. We drive hard, we play our hearts out nightly, and I try my hardest to reach the fans who want to hear me as often as possible. I made it through All The States and home again with money in my pocket. Because my fans are amazing.

In 2011, I released a fan-backed double album called Something Fierce. I invented my own pseudo-Kickstarter organization called the Donors' Circle to help make it happen (Kickstarter was still too new to serve my purposes when I started fundraising, but it was along the same lines). The record makes me very very very proud, but I'm especially proud that it was a group effort, me + fans, with almost no middle men. You should hear it sometime!

And now it's 2012. You guys have been asking for a live album for a long time now, since my show in person sounds different than what I do in the studio. So let's do it! This Kickstarter is not just to fund Europe, it's to fund the live album I've been longing to make for you.

European fans have been asking me to come visit for upwards of five years, and I've attempted twice (to no avail). I just don't have the cash up front for the many expenses that have to be paid before I land. In the U.S. it's just two plane tickets & a rental car, and as I drive and play and sleep on floors, the costs amortize. To get across the ocean it's a bit more complicated than that. But I've been touring for years, and I am confident this will work out -- once the funds I'll need up front in hand. I've posted my budget publicly here to give you an idea what the expenses are, and I'm keeping it on the cheap side (and anticipating earning a little once I get rolling; most of the fundraiser expenses are things I have to pay in advance).

So a boost is required. We get by with a little help from our friends.

Can I do this? Absolutely I can. I have studied music since I was a child, so my concerts are successful concerts, artistically and emotionally as well as financially; I have played hundreds of shows, I have driven and flown tens of thousands of miles every year, and I have earned my road warrior stripes. I have traveled in Europe and the UK four times -- three times for school and once for personal enrichment -- and I know I can make this happen.

And I know that the Live in Europe Album will be awesome.

I hope you'll get on board, at the $5 level or the $2000 level. Hopefully this will be my first of many more live albums, and the first of many trips to Europe which will one day fund themselves just like my US tours do.

I'm looking to get a shorter summary of this page translated into a number of languages if possible, mostly to be friendly (as I'm sure many of my European fans speak English). If you're willing or able to help with a one-page translation, I'd love to hear from you at europe@mariancall.com. If possible, I'd like to reach out in....

2) If you're not in Europe, just pledge, and you don't have to worry about anything more. You can spend your Questing Coins later on in the game if you wish, or you can just sit back and happily wait for your rewards.

If you want to understand everything, all of this complicated game, here's what you should do: go to http://mariancalladventurequest.com. Read the Rulebook. Check the FAQ's. Examine the Map and the Stats. You will be enlightened, and you can then join me on my Adventure Quest.

Still have questions? Ask me in the comments, or on Twitter: @mariancall.

Support this project

Select this reward

Pledge $5 or more
About $5

Peasant! **1 COIN** Throw in your lot with the MCEAQ for protection. Receive a digital copy of the album "Got to Fly" to keep you company. You get **1 QUESTING COIN** to pledge the European nation of your choice! Questing Coins are imaginary; read all that stuff to the left or see http://mariancalladventurequest.com to see what that means!

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Pledge $15 or more
About $15

Apprentice! **3 COINS** Work the bellows while we hammer out the Marian Call Live in Europe Album (or the M.C.L.I.E.A.). A download of the MCLIEA is yours once it's cooled and hardened. To make the weeks fly 'til then, receive a digital copy of 'Got to Fly' to keep or share once the Kickstarter ends.

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Pledge $25 or more
About $25

Smithy! **4 COINS** Forge the Marian Call Live in Europe Album with your mighty hammer in the flames; you'll receive it after it's cooled in November. While you wait for the MCLIEA, you'll receive a set of new ringtones and a download of my double album, 'Something Fierce' to keep or share.

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Pledge $35 or more
About $35

Merchant! **5 COINS** Fetch a bargain with your brilliant haggling in the bazaar. You'll receive all $25 level rewards, including the MCLIEA, and when the Kickstarter funds you'll receive digital copies of ALL my publicly released albums to date. Tons of music for VERY little money. A steal!

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Pledge $42 or more
About $42

Scribe! **7 COINS** You shall be the guardian and interpreter of the Quest Log, a digital diary of my Adventure Quest across Europe. Photos, videos, sketches, notes, audio & video links -- its the next best thing to riding shotgun. You'll also receive all $35 level rewards & MCLIEA.

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Pledge $65 or more
About $65

Artisan! **10 COINS** Share a thing of beauty, the custom handmade silver/pearl necklace that guided me through creation of Something Fierce. Or choose the gorgeous "Luna" necklace inspired by "Good Morning Moon." Both are commissioned for this Kickstarter and made to order by Annie's Arts & Follies, this is the only time they'll ever be available. (Int'l orders please add $5 if you wish). You'll also receive all $42 level rewards & MCLIEA.

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Pledge $75 or more
About $75

Master Builder! **12 COINS** You are the architect of nations; bridge the ocean for the MCEAQ, and in return I'll leave you a musical voicemail. (Voicemail details at http://mariancalladventurequest.com.) You'll also get all $42 level rewards PLUS one complete concert recording from Europe, so you can inspect the foundations of the MCLIEA for yourself. (Add a necklace or dog tags for $45 extra and gain an extra **7 COINS.**)

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Pledge $125 or more
About $125

Librarian! **20 COINS** The seat of true power lies with the keepers of information. At this level receive the Charmed Universal Serial Tome of All Knowledge, containing ALL the music I am legally allowed to give you: the infamous Bootleg Album, cuts from my first public concert ever, commissions, & obscure original works. Artwork, essays, ringtones, & exclusives abound. Your archives will be completed by the MCLIEA + concert recording + Quest Log in November. (Add a necklace or dog tags for $45 extra and gain an extra **7 COINS.**)

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Pledge $300 or more
About $300

Adventurer! **45 COINS** Journey to places unknown with the exclusive Postcard Club. Receive three chatty handwritten postcards from me while I travel, plus all the $125 level benefits. You'll also join the Marian Call Donors' Circle. (Add a necklace or dog tags for $45 extra and gain an extra **7 COINS.**) The first rule of Postcard Club...

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Pledge $301 or more
About $301

NEW! Ranger! **45 COINS** Receive all benefits from the $300 level, but instead of Postcard Club, you'll receive the original hard copies of sketches and journal pages Marian creates for the Quest Log (see $42 level). You won't be able to choose which page, but it will be nice. Marian has lovely handwriting and decent drawing skills, and her sketchbook will be interesting and probably more or less frameable. You'll receive it by snail mail after she returns home from Europe, in November.

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Pledge $302 or more
About $302

Maester! **45 COINS** Receive messages in the Rookery meant for none but you. You'll get all $125 level rewards plus a hand-typed letter from Marian after her tour -- on her home typewriter, of course. Each letter will be significantly different from the others, and each will be a little less than one page in length. Add a necklace or dog tag if you choose for $45 ($50 overseas).

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Pledge $750 or more
About $750

Warrior! **100 COINS** Your mighty deeds will live in story and song! I will compose a short 1-2 minute song for you and record it, a capella with percussion. Timeline, topics, & other important details at http://mariancalladventurequest.com. You'll also receive all the $125 level rewards, plus Postcard Club. Add a necklace or dog tag if you choose for $45. After the main Kickstarter funds, you *may* be able to unlock the country of your choice with your valiant deeds.

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Pledge $751 or more
About $751

Grand Maester! **100 COINS** Ravens dispatched to your tower will cause kingdoms to rise and fall. You'll get all $125 level rewards plus a lengthy hand-typed letter from Marian after her tour -- on her home typewriter, of course. The letter will contain an original poem or short story or personal essay (yes, Marian is a writer). Each work will be different from the others, and each poem/story/essay will be well over one page in length. Add a necklace or dog tag if you choose for $45 ($50 overseas).

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Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

$1000: BUY A CONCERT in an unlocked country! NOTE: You **must** contact me before you pledge at europe@mariancall.com; I need to be sure that I can commit to getting there, and we need to agree on all the terms first. Please be aware that some other people will get this same thing for free, just by volunteering a house concert in a city I wind up visiting. You must be free of all jealousy to pledge at this level. But if you're in a far-off area that I'm unlikely to visit and you really want a show, this is the way! More details at http://www.mariancalladventurequest.com/inventory/. No coins for this level, but you get a show. !!!Write me before pledging!!!

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Pledge $1,250 or more
About $1,250

$1250: BUY A CONCERT in a locked country on a main Eurail line! NOTE: you **MUST** contact me before you pledge at europe@mariancall.com; I need to be sure that I can commit to getting there, and we need to agree on all the terms first. No Questing Coins for this level, but you unlock your country for everyone else! More details at http://www.mariancalladventurequest.com/inventory/. !!!Write me before pledging!!!

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Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

$1500 plus travel expenses: BUY A CONCERT in a locked country away from the Eurail lines! NOTE: it's not just $1500, it's more, and might be a LOT more depending on how remote you are. No Questing Coins for this level. You **must** contact me before you pledge at europe@mariancall.com; I need to be sure that I can commit to getting there, and we need to agree on all the terms first. But if you want to fly me to remote Finland -- or Israel, as some have been mentioning -- this would be the way. More details at http://www.mariancalladventurequest.com/inventory/. !!!Write me before pledging!!!

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Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

Great Fairy! **185 COINS** Your inspiration makes any quest possible! At this level I will compose a full-length original song for you and record it with piano or guitar. Important details about commissioned songs at http://mariancalladventurequest.com. You also receive all $750 level benefits, and -- if the main Kickstarter funds -- you may be able to unlock a nation for adventure all on your own. Multitudes will be grateful to you.